A searing, raw memoir of depression that is ultimately uplifting and inspiring.
A successful magazine editor and prize-winning journalist, Sally Brampton launched Elle magazine in the UK in 1985. But behind the successful, glamorous career was a story that many of her friends and colleagues knew nothing about—her ongoing struggle with severe depression and alcoholism. Brampton's is a candid, tremendously honest telling of how she was finally able to "address the elephant in the room," and of a culture that sends the overriding message that people who suffer from depression are somehow responsible for their own illness. She offers readers a unique perspective of depression from the inside that is at times wrenching, but ultimately inspirational, as it charts her own coming back to life. Beyond her personal story, Brampton offers practical advice to all those affected by this illness. This book will resonate with any person whose life has been haunted by depression, at the same time offering help and understanding to those whose loved ones suffer from this debilitating condition.
Shoot the Damn Dog: A Memoir of Depression
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
A British fashion industry insider, Brampton wrote for Vogue and the Observer before launching Elle magazine in the U.K. By midlife, she had a successful, creative career, many close friends and a lovely daughter. Everything was going fabulously—until she fell apart. A paralyzing depression gripped her so intensely, she finally acknowledged that she needed to be institutionalized. Unfortunately, she was one of the many with treatment-resistant depression—high-tech pharmaceuticals just didn't work for her. As she cycled in and out of mental wards, survived suicide attempts and tried countless therapies, she learned a lot about depression—the stigma surrounding it, how it's triggered, the range of available therapies. With unflinching honesty, she describes her own experiences as well as sharing her research, letting readers take from it what you need and leave the rest. Brampton is particularly good at describing the currently favored therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy, positive psychology and cognitive mindfulness behavioral therapy. Her openness to all sorts of treatment, including acupuncture, is refreshing, as is the ease with which she advises friends and family on how to be most helpful. Brampton's story is accessible and endearing. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Sally Brampton lives in London and is a highly acclaimed novelist, columnist, and journalist. She also teaches fashion at the Fashion Institute.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Gordon M
Format:Hardcover
I have never been formally diagnosed with depression, yet like most people I guess, I have had spells of 'the blues' and feelings of melancholia at times. I have however a mother who has suffered from manic depression all her life and my second wife has been in the same boat for the past five years.
Sally Brampton's book is high on my recommended list. Written with honesty, clarity and humor, it certainly gives a most important insight in to what it must be like to be seriously depressed.
There are many books on depression out there. This one gets is.
Sally Brampton's book is high on my recommended list. Written with honesty, clarity and humor, it certainly gives a most important insight in to what it must be like to be seriously depressed.
There are many books on depression out there. This one gets is.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have to admit I didn't know much, ok anything, about Sally Brampton, before picking up this book. Brampton was a successful writer, columnist and founding editor of (British) "Elle" magazine. Then her world fell apart.
In "Shoot the Damn Dog" (326 pages), the author brings her harrowing tale of descending into a full-blown depression, and the harrowing and life-changing consequences it had on her, and it has on many people. In the early part of the book, Brampton retells how she managed to be so successful. As Brampton makes clear, her depression came about by not just one singular event, but by many. She was let go as the editor of "Red" magazine, a devastating event, that was then compounded by other events, including a failed marriage and the death of a close event. On the termination of het stint at "Red", the author observes "So the failure of my editorship at "Red" was not simply the failure of a job. It was the destruction of an absolute truth about myself". The author's tales of her numerous visits and stays into various hospitals are equally devastating. At one point she observes "I thought that if I went into hospital, I would become well. I thought a pill could make me better. The failure of both to do either was almost more catastrophic for me than the illness itself". Wow.
This book is not for the faint of heart, although having emerged from her long bout, the author shares with us that "It;s two years since I emerged from depression and I no longer want myself dead. I want myself alive. I am no longer my own enemy." That's about as 'uplifting' as this book gets, but then again this book is not so much about uplifting as it is about making us understand that depression is an illness, a very serious one, yet one from which one can emerge victoriously, albeit one day at the time.
In "Shoot the Damn Dog" (326 pages), the author brings her harrowing tale of descending into a full-blown depression, and the harrowing and life-changing consequences it had on her, and it has on many people. In the early part of the book, Brampton retells how she managed to be so successful. As Brampton makes clear, her depression came about by not just one singular event, but by many. She was let go as the editor of "Red" magazine, a devastating event, that was then compounded by other events, including a failed marriage and the death of a close event. On the termination of het stint at "Red", the author observes "So the failure of my editorship at "Red" was not simply the failure of a job. It was the destruction of an absolute truth about myself". The author's tales of her numerous visits and stays into various hospitals are equally devastating. At one point she observes "I thought that if I went into hospital, I would become well. I thought a pill could make me better. The failure of both to do either was almost more catastrophic for me than the illness itself". Wow.
This book is not for the faint of heart, although having emerged from her long bout, the author shares with us that "It;s two years since I emerged from depression and I no longer want myself dead. I want myself alive. I am no longer my own enemy." That's about as 'uplifting' as this book gets, but then again this book is not so much about uplifting as it is about making us understand that depression is an illness, a very serious one, yet one from which one can emerge victoriously, albeit one day at the time.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By tyler2
Format:Hardcover
Shoot the Damn Dog is so on target. I suffer from depression as do many in my family. I read it in one sitting after taking in out of the library. Found the book on Amazon & purchased 2 of them. one to keep & the other I gave it to my sister to read.
She recently passed but I hope she gave it to her daughter & son to read.
She recently passed but I hope she gave it to her daughter & son to read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Been there? Currently "there"?
A wonderfully articulated and candid memoir on living through / living with depression. I first read this as a library book and decided I wanted my own copy to be able to re-visit... Read more
Published 4 months ago by J. A. Stewart
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good book for those who have depression
This is a good read for those who have mild to severe depression and to those people who want to understand what depression really is. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Grace
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Helpful, Pleasantly Readable, and Ultimately Comforting
One of the best things for someone going through the very real pain of severe depression is company from someone who has been through it, is thriving, and does a good job of... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Blueboy
4.0 out of 5 stars
I could relate . . .
Having suffered from depression myself for a period of about four years (and still battling it from time to time), I could relate to this author's work. Read more
Published 16 months ago by melbournegirl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really helpful for the family
I purchased this book to better understand depression because my niece was having big problems with it. Read more
Published 16 months ago by deebc
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best books I've read.
I loved this book, it says what I couldn't put into words. Anyone who is depressed or knows anyone who is depressed should read this book, it tells it like it is.
Published 17 months ago by Phyllis Cragg
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Little Story
I read this when a family member was depressed. It helped me be more empathetic in the situation. A very interesting and good read.
Published 22 months ago by Sharon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hardcore Truth
I suffer from depression and have been helped via medication. When I read this book (just from the "look inside" option) I was in tears - this it the brutal truth of what it feels... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Ru4truth
4.0 out of 5 stars
Brampton's Madness Memoir is a necessary and timely topic
This brave, moving, and painfully candid memoir is both challenging and inspiring. Those who know the pain of depression will find the book to be a precious but tough-minded... Read more
Published on March 3, 2011 by Magnolia Zulu
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Account of Depression; everyone should read
This is an amazing account of the author's depression. Her depression was a very deep persistent depression, seemingly incurable. Read more
Published on November 6, 2010 by chicitysue
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